The author wishes to express his sincere thanks to his friend, Professor Van der Essen, who has been good enough to revise his work. He is also indebted to Messrs. Van Oest & Co. for allowing him to reproduce some pictures belonging to _l'Album Historique de la Belgique_, and to the Phototypie Belge (Ph.B.), Ste anonyme, Etterbeek, Bruxelles, and other holders of copyright for providing him with valuable illustrations. CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE 5 INTRODUCTION 15 CHAPTER I THE COAL WOOD 29 Celts and Germans--Roman conquest--Roads of Roman civilization--First Christianization--Germanic invasion--Natural obstacle presented by the "Silva Carbonaria"--Origins of racial and linguistic division. CHAPTER II FROM SAINT AMAND TO CHARLEMAGNE 37 Frankish capital transferred from Tournai to Paris--Second Christianization--St. Amand--Restoration of the old bishoprics-- Romanization of the Franks and germanization of the Walloons-- Unification under Charlemagne--Aix-la-Chapelle, centre of the Empire--First period of economic and intellectual efflorescence. CHAPTER III LOTHARINGIA AND FLANDERS 47 Partition after Charlemagne--Treaty of Verdun--The frontier of the Scheldt--Struggle of feudal lords against the central power--The Normans. CHAPTER IV REGNER LONG NECK 52 Policy of the Lotharingian princes--Influence of the German bishops--Alliance with Flanders against the Emperor--Decadence of the central power--Religious reform of Gerard de Brogne--The Clunisians and the struggle for the investitures--The first crusade. CHAPTER V BALDWIN THE BEARDED 60 Policy of the counts of Flanders--Imperial Flanders--The English alliance--First prospect of unification--Robert the Frisian. CHAPTER VI THE BELFRIES 66 Origin of the Communes; trade and industry--Resistance of feudal lords; Cambrai--Protection given by the counts of Flanders and the dukes of Brabant--Social transformation extending to the country-side--The meaning of the belfries. CHAPTER VII THE GOLDEN SPURS 78 Attraction of Flanders on the rest of the country--Attempts at maintaining neutrality between France and England--Thierry and Philippe d'Alsace--Baldwin IX--Ferrand of Portugal--Bouvines--Increasing French influence--Flemish reaction--"Matines Brugeoises"--Consequences of the Battle of Courtrai--Edward III and Van Artevelde. CHAPTER VIII